Journal: June 10, 2009

Dear Friends,

Had a good time with the Lord in prayer today. He is very closet o me in these difficult times of separation from my family and friends. I could not practice the violin today to prepare for the next concert because the chapel was closed. The Lord will provide. I read out of Gruden’s theology on the perseverance of the Saints—my next sermon topic in two weeks. Before bed I read out of John Piper’s book The Hidden Smile of God. Bunyan, Cowper and Brainard are such encouragements to me. Bunyan, while in prison writes, “I was made to see that if ever I would suffer rightly, I must…[learn] to live upon God that is invisible.” This is what I’m trying to do in this very painful trial.

William Cowper’s hymn is very special to me “…judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast unfolding every hour; the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower…” These men who did suffer (along with their wives and children) l, are wonderful gifts from God to us who now suffer.